CGS sub-oscillator/harmonic sequencer
CGS01 the CGS sub-oscillator/harmonic sequencer module was one of the first synthesizer modules Ken Stone ever built, back around 1980. The previous version was designed with the ETI 4600 in mind, and was published as a circuit idea in the June 1982 Australian edition of ETI.
Another circuit he used at the time to "fatten up" the sound of his single oscillator synth was a "harmony generator", achieved by running a 4017 decade counter chip wired to divide by three or six.
This design combines both of these circuits, giving a two channel sub oscillator, which allows each channel to be used independently, or driven from the same oscillator, but set to different intervals. As a bonus, both channels can be multiplied or "digitally ring modulated" giving even more effects.
Some ideas on how to use this module
Fed by two VCOs it can operate as two independent sub-oscillators, with optional ring modulated outputs.
Running both sub-oscillators from the same VCO, tuned to a fifth over the base note you require, and with the prescaler set to divide by 3, it is possible to create harmonies. An unusual effect here is that the ring modulated outputs give a fatter chord-like sound that remains indepenant of minor or major scales, allowing "one finger chords" which can be handy when used with a related sequencer driven bass line.
Careful mixing of the ring modulated output with one channel's divided output results in some interesting sounds, especially if one of the channels is being driven from a low frequency oscillator. Running like this, it could be considered to be a "harmonic sequencer"
Running both inputs from the same LFO/clock signal, and feeding the mixed output into the 1V/octave input of a VCO gives you a pattern based sequencer, where the prescaler, ring modulated outputs, etc., all have a bearing on the pattern. Quite interesting patterns can be created this way. Each knob of course varies part of the overall structure, instead of a single note as per a regular step sequencer.
Notes
- When using the sub oscillator, try feeding an audio signal into the "a" input, and a low frequency signal into the "b" input, then mix the "a" channel and multiplied signals together. Due to the action of the EXOR gates, the output of the "a" channel can be gated partially to fully on and off, giving some interesting tonal sequences.
- Asymmetrical input waveshapes will not drive the input multiplier properly. Nothing says you can't exploit this either.
Construction
Notes
- Don't tie all the wires going to the pots together. This causes some crosstalk. Either keep the wires apart, or use shielded cable.
- The 22k resistor in the mixer section marked * sets the overall gain of the mixer. Omit it if wiring in a master level pot. (This resistor is shown as 47k on the current circuit diagram.) See CGS04 DC mixer for more information as the mixer portion of this circuit is essentially the same.
Alternate layout
Having had the prototype in my synthesizer for some time now, a second layout became obvious. Instead of having pots for both the B channel and the multiplier outputs, I used a 4 pole 2 position switch to select between the B channel and the multiplier outputs, saving me a lot of panel space. The x2 output was sacrificed, and the rotary switch to select the prescale was replaced by an SPDT switch for the bypass function, and a SPDT center off switch was used to select between divide by 3, 7 and 5. 7 is hard wired as the default on the PCB, so no connection is needed to the switch.
A little on how it works
In a way, this design can be considered as a sub oscillator construction kit, as there are many ways it can be configured.
The circuit can best be understood if viewed in smaller sections, which is why I've broken the circuit diagram up into parts.
The first part simply takes the input signal (preferably symmetrical, such as a square, triangle or sine wave), squares it up, and multiplies it by two using a fairly conventional square wave frequency doubler made from a few NAND gates. Both normal and inverted signals are brought out to PCB pads, and the normal signal is fed on to the prescaler or dividers. There are two of these input stages on the PCB, one per channel.
The second diagram covers the prescaler, giving effective frequency divisions of 1, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 when the frequency doubler in the input stage is taken into account. If a double pole switch is used as shown, it is possible to route the frequency doubled signal straight through to the divider as well. Of note is that the signal is being fed into the clock enable line, while the clock is held high. The clock enable line is simply inverted then AND gated with the signal from the clock pin within the 4017. Grounding the clock enable line and feeding the clock signal into the clock pin would have worked equally well.
The third diagram is the divider, of which there are two. Dividing by two, four, eight etc. gives the various octaves.
The fourth diagram simply shows how the multipliers are wired to the two dividers. The outputs are marked M1-4 and can be fed into the mixer as per the example in the mixer diagram, much like any of the signals from the dividers. These four EXOR gates do the digital "ring modulation", with each gate wired so that it is feeding from the same numbered divider stage from each channel.
The fifth diagram shows the mixer. It also gives an example of how the inputs are fed through a resister then a pot and into the mixer. My prototype used thirteen pots. There is no hard and fast rule to what is fed into the mixer. That much is up to the individual's needs. In my case channel "a" was the divider chain without the prescaler, and the one with the prescaler was channel "b". From channel "a" I fed the squared input, /2, /4 and /8 signals, being the pads marked 1 to 4 on the divider into the mixer. From channel "b" I fed the frequency doubled input (see note below) the squared input, /2, /4 and /8 signals into the mixer. I also fed all four of the multiplier outputs (M1-4) into the mixer.
Parts list
This is a guide only. Parts needed will vary with individual constructor's needs.
| Part | Quantity |
| Capacitors | |
|---|---|
| 47pF | 2 |
| 1n5 | 4 |
| 100nF | 9 |
| 1uF 25V | 2 |
| 10uF 25V | 2 |
| Resistors | |
| 330R | 2 |
| 10k | 7 |
| 22k | 1 |
| 47k | 21 |
| 4M7 | 2 |
| Semi's | |
| 1N4148 | 6 |
| 4011 | 2 |
| 4017 | 1 |
| 4024 | 2 |
| 4030 | 1 |
| TL072 | 3 |
| Misc | |
| Ferrite beads | 2 |
| Tinned copper wire | 10 cm |
| 50k Lin pots | 13 |
| Knobs | 14 |
| 2 pole 5 pos switch * | 1 |
| SPST switch * | 1 |
| SPST Center off switch * | 1 |
| CGS01 PCB | 1 |
| Jacks | 4 |
| 0.156 4 pin connector | 1 |
| * see wiring diagram. | |
CC-BY-NC
Readers are permitted to construct these circuits for their own personal use only. Ken Stone retains all rights to his work.
See also
- CGS sub-oscillator (previous version)
- CGS sub-oscillator/harmonic sequencer (UNI format)
- The CGS modules
- CGS parts FAQ
- CGS DC mixer
References
- Sub Oscillator for music synthesizers by Ken Stone, 2000, with permission of the author - archived
External links
- CGS Synth discussion group, for discussion of locating parts, modifications and corrections etc.
Suppliers
- CGS01 Sub Oscillator, revision 2.1, Elby Designs